Work begins on next phase of Carlsbad's new water project

Current-Argus file
The Ogallala aquifer, from which the Double Eagle system draws water in Lea County about 36 miles northeast of Carlsbad, covers portions of eight states.

CARLSBAD >> As Carlsbad continues to grow, the city is upgrading its water infrastructure to handle the uptick in water demand.

Workers began installing new, larger water pipes on U.S. Highway 62-180, also known as Hobbs Highway, in March as part of Phase 2 of the Double Eagle water system overhaul. The work comprises five phases in all, that when complete will significantly improve the amount of water the city can deliver to its customers.

"There is more usage and we're trying to be proactive and look for a secondary source of water," said Luis Camero, the city of Carlsbad director of utilities. "We don't want to be left with only one option on table; we want to have more than just the Capitan Reef."

Water for the city is primarily pumped from the Capitan Reef Basin west of Carlsbad at the Sheep Draw well field. The Double Eagle water system was purchased by the city in 1970 and the water in that area is pumped from the Ogallala aquifer northeast of Carlsbad.

Less than 1 percent of the water used by the city of Carlsbad comes from the Double Eagle according to Camero but that could change. The lengthy drought that has berated the southwestern United States has taxed the Capitan Reef and city officials want a backup plan in case only smaller amounts of water can be pumped.

"We don't know how long this drought is going to last, so our water (levels) are going to be going down," Camero said.

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Camero and City Administrator Steve McCutcheon said the city needs the flexibility to only pump at one of its two well fields to let the other recharge with rainwater or snowmelt.

"If this drought persists, (the Double Eagle upgrades) will help us at some point give Capitan Reef a rest," Camero said. "It will help us conserve and save some of the water that is (in Capitan Reef)."

Currently, the Double Eagle water system delivers water at the rate of 2,000 gallons per minute to the city in pipeline no larger than 12 inches in diameter. Larger, 24-inch pipelines are being installed and the system will have the capability to deliver water at 5,500 gallons per minute.

The city of Carlsbad currently has 19 wells in the Double Eagle area and eight wells in the Capitan Reef. The city is working on drilling a ninth well in the Capitan Reef and is thinking about the possibility of creating a 10th.

During peak demand, Carlsbad delivers 18,000 gallons of water per minute to its municipality according to Camero.

Bidding on Phase 1 of the Double Eagle water system upgrades will wrap up by the beginning of June according to McCutcheon. Smithco Construction won the bidding for Phase 2, paying $13.9 million.

The first three phases of the project are expected to be completed by fall of 2015 and drinkable water from the Double Eagle is expected to reach the city by the start of 2016.

The Double Eagle water system currently only provides non-treated water primarily for livestock, commercial and industrial purposes.

"This is the single largest and most important project that the city has undertaken in the last several years," said Mayor Dale Janway.

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